Automatic match-case and cigar-tip cutter.



No. 635,484. Patented Oct. 24, I899.

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AUTOMATIG'MATCH SAFE AND CIGAR TIP CUTTER.

(Application filed -J'a.n. 16, 1899.) (No Model.)

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NITED STATES Felon.

PATET RUDOLPH C. HOYER, OF VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 635,484, dated October 24, 1899.

Application filed January 16, 1899- To on whom it may concern: v

Be it known that I, RUDOLPH O. HOYER, a citizen of the United States, residingat Vicksburg, in the county of Warren and State of Mississippi, have invented a new and useful Automatic Match-Case and Cigar-Tip Cutter, of which the followingis a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to improvements in match-cases and cigar-tip cutters; and the object is to provide a case which upon simply depressing aleveronly one match is delivered at a time, and during the same operation a convenient cigar-tip cutter is furnished, the lever regaining its original position by the force of gravity. It is intended to prevent the extravagant use of matches and to provide an article of commerce which is simple in construction, durable, useful, and ornamental. I attain this object by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a top view of the case, and Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-section on line a b of Fig. 1.

Similar figures refer to similar parts throughout both views.

The invention consists of a triangular prismshaped case 1, whose interior surface is semicylindrical. Secured to the upper edges of this case by means of screws is a fiat cover' 10. This case, by means of a partition 3, is divided into two nearly equal compartments, having communication with each other through a horizontal slot formed by the lower edge of said partition and the inner curved surface of the case. The upper of these compartments is intended as a receptacle for matches, and it is provided near its top with a horizontal slot 14, extending the entire width of the inside of case 1. The lower face of this slot 14: is inclined downwardly and ends in a shelf 15, which is curved upwardly for the purpose of receiving the match when delivered from the slot 14.

On the cover 10 of the case 1 there is secured by means of screws a smaller semicylindrical case 2 in an inverted position; In the ends of the case 2 are provided circular openings 19 to serve as supports or journals for a shaft 7, the shaft turning freely in the openings. To the shaft 7 are secured rigidly the radial arms or levers 4, 5, and 6, making Serial No. 702,290. (No model.)

predetermined angles with each other. Their extreme positions as they revolve with the shaft '7 are shown in Fig. 2 by solid and broken lines,respectively. The lever 4 passes through a slot in the case 2 and ends in a handle 12. It is limited in its revolution by the length of this slot,which is predetermined. lhe lever 5 terminates in a curved blade 11, which is adapted to graze the inner surface of the case 2 and to pass two small circular openings 13 of different sizes in the top of said case. The levers 6, of which there are two, are secured to the shaft 7 outside of case 2, one at each end.- At theirouterends they are secured to the rear edge of a curved plate 8. This plate is concentric with the inner surface of case 1 and is adapted to slide thereon and pass freely through the slot formed by the partition 3 from one compartment to the other of the case 1. The forward edge of the plate 8 is given an inclined surface 18, forming a shelf with the inner surface of case 1. Said shelf when in its lowest position coincides with the upper side of the partition 3 and becomes coincident with the lower surface of the slot 14 upon meeting the latter. The forward part of the plate 8 is given additional thickness 9 in order to give it sufficient weight to gravitate.

In the cover 10 of case 1 openings 16 and 17 are provided for the free passage of the levers 6 and the rear edge of the plate 8.

To facilitate the removal of accumulated cigar-tips from the case 2, this case is provided with an opening on one of its sides near the top.

In its operation the upper compartment of the case 1 is nearly filled with matches, preferably through the slot 14, the edge 18 in repose being continuous with the upper side of the partition 3. Upon depressing the lever 4 by means of its handle 12 the forward edge 18 of the plate slides upward on the curved inner surface of the case 1, carrying in this way a match to the slot 141- and delivering it on an inclined plane out onto the shelf 15. Other matches not held by 18, but pushed in advance, will drop before reaching the slot 14. Simultaneously during the above operation the lever 5, carrying the blade 11 in case 2, will make a partial revolution, grazing the openings 13 and cutting the cigar-tips insorted therein, the cigar-tips being collected in the bottom of the case 2. When the handle 12 is released, the levers by virtue of gravitation resume their original positions, leaving the case in condition for arepetition of its work. Should it be desirable to facilitate this latter operation, a spring 20, adjusted to the shaft 7 and the lever 4, maybe provided.

One or more of the exterior sides of the case should be roughened for the purpose of striking matches.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

1. In an automatic match-case and cigar-tip cutter, the combination, a triangular prismshaped case, smooth and semicylindrical inside; this case divided by a partition into two compartments having communication with each other through a slot, a curved plate adapted to this slot and to slide on the inner surface of the case; the forward part of this plate excessive in weight, its forward edge forming an inclined shelf with theinner surface of the case, a horizontal slot near the top of the upper compartment opening out onto a curved shelf; a flat cover for the abovementioned case, secured to this cover a smaller semicylindrical case carrying a shaft provided with a spring and four radial levers, the ends of two of these levers secured to the rear edge of the above -mentioned curved plate, the other two levers ending respectively in a handle and a curved blade; the smaller case provided with a vertical slot nearits middle; two small circular holes in its top and an opening in one of its sides, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. In an automatic match-case, a triangular prism-shaped case, smooth and semicylindrical inside; this case divided by a partition into two compartments having communication with each other through a slot, acurved plate adapted to this slot and to slide upon the inner surface of the case; the forward part of this plate excessive in weight, its forward edge forming an inclined shelf with the inner surface of the case; a horizontal slot near the top of the upper compartment opening out onto a curved shelf, a fiat cover for the above-mentioned case, this cover supporting a shaft, a spring adjusted to this shaft, three radial levers secured to this shaft; the outer ends of two of these levers secured to the rear edge of the above-mentioned curved plate, the other lever ending in a handle, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

RUDOLPH C. IIOYER.

\Vitnesses:

T. Y. PARKER, E. E. MoLEon. 

